Haunted Mansion Headstones Return to Disneyland Park

Haunted Mansion Headstones Return to Disneyland Park

Shannon Swanson

by , Public Relations Manager, Disneyland Resort

It has been fifteen years since we last saw the original headstones fill the hillsides at the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland park. Claude Coats, Marc Davis and X Atencio are just a few of the masterminds behind the Haunted Mansion whose whimsical headstones disappeared. I spoke with art director Kim Irvine who explained how the headstones made it back to their original home.

The original headstones and the Imagineers they represented are as follows:

  • Claude Coats (lead designer – specializing in backgrounds and environments, he also developed the Omnimover layout)
    • At Peaceful Rest Lies Brother Claude
      Planted Here Beneath This Sod

  • Marc Davis (lead designer – specializing in character design and sight gags)
    • In memory of our Patriarch
      Dear Departed Grandpa Marc

  • X Atencio (script and song)
    • Requiescat Francis Xavier
      No time off for good behavior R.I.P.

  • Bill Martin (concept architect)
    • Here Lies A Man Named Martin
      The Lights Went Out on this Old Spartan

  • Dave Burkhart (models)
    • Dear Departed Brother Dave
      He Chased a Bear into A Cave

  • Yale Gracey (special effects and illusions)
    • Master Gracey Laid to Rest
      No Mourning Please, at His Request. Farewell

  • Bob Sewell (models)
    • R.I.P. Mister Sewell
      The victim of a dirty duel, Peaceful rest

  • Chuck Myall (show designer)
    • R.I.P., in memoriam Uncle Myall,
      Here you’ll lie for quite a while

  • Gordon Williams (sound and Audio-Animatronics system)
    • Good Friend Gordon
      Now you’ve Crossed the River Jordan

  • Cliff Huet (architecture/interiors)
    • Rest in Peace Cousin Huet
      We All Know You Didn’t Do It

  • Wathel Rogers (figure animation)
    • Here Rests Wathel R. Bender
      He Rode to Glory on a Fender

  • Fred Joerger (models/effect modeling)
    • Here Lies Good Old Fred
      A Great Big Rock Fell on His Head, R.I.P.

Destinations: Haunted Mansion Headstones Return to Disneyland Park

Comments

  • It’s so awesome to have those tombstones back. And it’s really cool that there are a few new ones for the Imagineers who helped bring them back. 🙂

  • You forgot Imagineer Rolly Crump! Rolo Rumkin is a tribute to him and his very important work with Yale Gracey developing the ride.

Comments are closed.